Mums fury as her autistic son is made to wear a fluorescent bib so teachers can keep an eye on him

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Mother Joanne Logan claims she only found out her 6 year old son Charlie was being made to wear a bib 'so teachers know he's autistic' when he told her about it. Charlie is a Year 1 pupil at Cherry Lane Primary School, in West Drayton, and first told his mother he was being made to wear a bib at break times last Thursday. She said: 'It's just not right - it's massive discrimination. Looking back on it I think the classroom teacher mentioned a bib during the week - but I didn't really think about it, it didn't click until Charlie said something.

'When he came home on Thursday (February 22) he said about wearing a bib at break times - and I was like, 'Oh? - what kind of bib?' and he told me it's silver and yellow, and he said: "My teachers have said I have to wear a bib so that they know where I am at break times".' She added: 'I knew during lunch break he's not always allowed out because he has been accused of hurting the other children, I know there's an issue there which the school have to work with me on. I'm so upset - I can't believe it's even allowed. I'm totally fuming. I've told Charlie he must never wear the bib, whatever they say to him, he should never put it on.'

Ms Logan had to wait until (Tuesday) before she could speak to the school's headmaster, Steve Whitehouse, about Charlie's situation. Following the meeting a decision was made that Charlie would no longer have to wear a bib. In a statement the school claimed Ms Logan was previously informed about the bib. A Cherry Lane Primary School spokesman said: 'Decisions made concerning the welfare of all Cherry Lane pupils are done so on an individual needs basis.

'We always have their safety at the forefront of our practice to ensure that some vulnerable children are constantly supported. Visibility tabards (reflective vests) are used for a variety of reasons in our playground. 'Parents are always consulted prior to actions taken regarding the individual needs of their children. 'Should a parent change their mind regarding our practice, we work with them accordingly.'

SecuriCares Risk Manager Lee Hollins says, “I think what we have here is two parties involved in an ongoing discussion about the best interests of a child. There seem to be lots of issues and perspectives in play. From the schools perspective it seems to be about safety, and from mums perspective it seems to be about stigma and her child being treated in a way that is perceived by her to be different to other children. There doesn’t seem to be discrimination in play, and the schools response seems to give weight to the notion that behaviour support planning around individual children is a journey and not a destination. The key thing to take away from this situation is that the best interests of the child are ultimately more likely to be served by communication and open mindedness…”

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